Shame on You — Shame on Us

Child Abuser in Chief

Shame on you, Donald Trump, for introducing a policy of separating immigrant children from their parents. You are now the Child Abuser in Chief. And shame on us, those citizens of the United States who are tolerating such outrageous actions taken against children, so contrary to the values that have made the United States the standard of morality throughout the world.

Lady Liberty would be bent over in tears covering her eyes to hide her shame of your actions from Emma Lazarus’ words inscribed on the pedestal below: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”

The Policy Initiators

Shame on you, Attorney General, Jeff Sessions, for originating this appalling policy and then attempting to justify it by referring to the bible. Clearly your knowledge of that document is as deficient as your understanding of a code of morality. For your edification, perhaps you might consider the words of Jesus as told in Matthew 18:6: “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” And if one Gospel is insufficient, refer to Mark 9:42 or Luke 17:2. Do you still believe the bible provides justification for your actions?

Shame on you, Senior Policy Advisor, Stephen Miller, an architect of the child separation policy, because you believe that the possibility of deterring future illegal immigration justifies our government implementing a cruel, immoral and inhuman strategy; and shame on you for derailing the bipartisan agreement to allow the DACA immigrants to remain in the country.

The Policy Perpetrators

Shame on you, Homeland Security Secretary, Kirstjen Nielsen, for defending this horrific policy while falsely blaming Democrats and arguing that Congress must pass a law to correct it; for claiming this action was not to act as a deterrent to illegal immigration, while the Attorney General was specifically stating the contrary; and worst of all, for your hypocrisy in saying: “We are trying to protect the children…We are a country of compassion. We are a country of heart…” when you show no compassion for children confused, alone and crying for their parents. Yes, you’re right about this country, but you obviously have no heart, no conscience, no moral compass.

Shame on you, White House Press Secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, for repeating the lie that this child separation policy is the law when you know it is not the law but a policy that could be changed immediately by the President.

Shame on you, Counselor to the President, KellyAnne Conway, for denying that the President is using children as hostages to bring Democrats to the bargaining table on immigration, while claiming that Congress must pass a law to fix it when you, too, know it is not the law but a policy that could be changed immediately by the President.

Shame on you, Chief of Staff, John Kelly, for your insensitive comments about immigration and acknowledging “…the big name of the game is deterrence.”

The Facilitators

Shame on you, Fox News and your pundits, Sean Hannity, Tucker Carlson, Laura Ingraham and Ann Coulter who defend this policy or falsely blame the Democrats for it while spreading propaganda and providing your followers comfort in the company of other hate mongers.

And Shame on all of you involved with separating children from their parents, which the American Academy of Pediatrics considers “government-sanctioned child abuse.”

The Crime

The Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution states: “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.” Child abuse is cruel and unusual punishment. It is also a crime. So not only are all of you participating in this tragedy committing a crime, you are in violation of the Constitution.